The “intrasarcomere” mechanisms, such as the actin–myosin interaction, are mentioned only in passing. It is assumed that the readers are familiar with these mechanisms from courses in muscle physiology.

When a fully activated muscle or a fiber is stretched with a moderate speed from one constant length to another, the force recorded on its end exceeds the maximum isometric force at the same muscle length.

Richly illustrated and presented in concise language, Biomechanics of
Skeletal Muscles provides an explanation of whole muscle
biomechanics at work in the body in motion. It addresses both the
mechanical behavior of single muscles and the various issues of muscle
functioning during human motion.

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Richly illustrated and presented in clear, concise language, Biomechanics of Skeletal Muscles is an essential resource for those seeking advanced knowledge of muscle biomechanics. Written by leading experts Vladimir Zatsiorsky and Boris Prilutsky, the text is one of the few to look at muscle biomechanics in its entirety—from muscle fibers to muscle coordination—making it a unique contribution to the field.

Using a blend of experimental evidence and mechanical models, Biomechanics of Skeletal Muscles provides an explanation of whole muscle biomechanics at work in the body in motion. The book first addresses the mechanical behavior of single muscles—from the sarcomere level up to the entire muscle. The architecture of human muscle, the mechanical properties of tendons and passive muscles, the biomechanics of active muscles, and the force transmission and shock absorption aspects of muscle are explored in detail. Next, the various issues of muscle functioning during human motion are addressed. The transformation from muscle force to joint movements, two-joint muscle function, eccentric muscle action, and muscle coordination are analyzed.

This advanced text assumes some knowledge of algebra and calculus; however, the emphasis is on understanding physical concepts. Higher-level computational descriptions are placed in special sections in the later chapters of the book, allowing those with a strong mathematical background to explore this material in more detail. Readers who choose to skip over these sections will find that the book still provides a strong conceptual understanding of advanced topics.

Biomechanics of Skeletal Muscles also contains numerous special features that facilitate readers’ comprehension of the topics presented. More than 300 illustrations and accompanying explanations provide an extensive visual representation of muscle biomechanics. Refresher sidebars offer brief reminders of mathematical and biomechanical concepts, and From the Literature sidebars present practical examples that illustrate the concepts under discussion. Chapter summaries and review questions provide an opportunity for reflection and self-testing, and reference lists at the end of each chapter provide a starting point for further study.

Biomechanics of Skeletal Muscles offers a thorough explanation of whole muscle biomechanics, bridging the gap between foundational biomechanics texts and scientific literature. With the information found in this text, readers can prepare themselves to better understand the latest in cutting-edge research.

Biomechanics of Skeletal Muscles is the third volume in the Biomechanics of Human Motion series. Advanced readers in human movement science gain a comprehensive understanding of the biomechanics of human motion as presented by one of the world’s foremost researchers on the subject, Dr. Vladimir Zatsiorsky. The series begins with Kinematics of Human Motion, which details human body positioning and movement in three dimensions; continues with Kinetics of Human Motion, which examines the forces that create body motion and their effects; and concludes with Biomechanics of Skeletal Muscles, which explains the action of the biological motors that exert force and produce mechanical work during human movement.

Accuracy of the Static Optimization Methods: How Well Do the Methods Work?

Dynamic Optimization

Basic Concepts

Forward Dynamics Problem

Inverse Optimization

On Optimization Methods in Human Biomechanics and Motor Control

Summary
Questions for Review
Literature List

Glossary
Index
About the Authors

Audiences

A reference for biomechanists, motor development specialists, muscle
physiologists, exercise and sport scientists, ergonomists, biomechanical
and biomedical engineers, and rehabilitation specialists. A text for
graduate-level courses in biomechanics.

Vladimir M. Zatsiorsky, PhD, is a world-renowned expert in the
biomechanics of human motion. He has been a professor in the department
of kinesiology at Pennsylvania State University since 1991 and was a
director of the university's biomechanics laboratory.

Before coming to North America in 1990, Dr. Zatsiorsky served for 18
years as professor and chair of the department of biomechanics at the
Central Institute of Physical Culture in Moscow. He has received several
awards for his achievements, including the Geoffrey Dyson Award from the
International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (the society's highest
honor), Jim Hay’s Memorial Award from the American Society of
Biomechanics, and the USSR's National Gold Medal for the Best Scientific
Research in Sport in 1976 and 1982. For 26 years he served as consultant
to the national Olympic teams of the USSR. He was also the director of
the USSR's All-Union Research Institute of Physical Culture for three
years.

He has authored and coauthored more than 400 scientific papers and 15
books that are published in English, Russian, German, Italian, Spanish,
Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Bulgarian, Romanian, Czech,
Hungarian, and Serbo-Croatian. Dr. Zatsiorsky has been conferred doctor
honoris causa degrees by the Academy of Physical Education (Poland,
1999) and the Russian State University of Physical Culture and Sport
(2003). Among his books are Kinematics of Human Motion, Biomechanics
in Sport: Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention, Kinetics
of Human Motion, and Science and Practice of Strength Training
(coauthor).

He and his wife, Rita, live in State College, Pennsylvania.

Boris I. Prilutsky, PhD, is an associate professor in the School
of Applied Physiology and director of biomechanics and motor control
laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.
Before that position, he was a senior research scientist in Georgia
Tech’s Center for Human Movement Studies from 1998 to 2005.

His research interests include muscle biomechanics, neural control of
movements, and motor learning. His research contributed to the
development of methods for quantifying mechanical energy transfer by
two-joint muscles between body segments during locomotion and to the
understanding of muscle coordination during human motion. Prilutsky has
published more than 50 peer-reviewed research articles and five book
chapters, and he is the author of six patents. His research is supported
by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science
Foundation (NSF).

While living in the former Soviet Union, Prilutsky received a BS degree
in physical education from the Central Institute of Physical Culture in
Moscow and a BS degree in applied mathematics and mechanics from the
Moscow Institute of Electronic Engineering. He received his PhD in
biomechanics from the Latvian Research Institute of Traumatology and
Orthopedics in Riga.

From 1978 to 1992, he worked as a research scientist and lecturer in the
department of biomechanics for the Central Institute of Physical Culture
in Moscow. He was also a postdoctoral fellow in the department of
kinesiology at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (1992-1995),
and at the department of health and performance sciences at Georgia Tech
(1995-1998).

Prilutsky is a member of the American Society of Biomechanics and a 1995
recipient of the organization’s Young Scientist Award. He is also a
member of the International Society of Biomechanics, Society for
Neuroscience, and the Neural Control of Movement Society. He serves as a
reviewer for over 30 professional research journals and for the NIH,
NSF, South Carolina Space Grant Consortium, Consiglio Nazionale delle
Ricerche (CNR), and the Austrian Science Fund.Prilutsky resides in
Duluth, Georgia, and enjoys mountain biking, reading, and traveling in
his free time.

"This is an excellent book for readers interested in building upon a
basic understanding of biomechanics....In addition to the
well-credentialed authors' expertise, important peer-reviewed research
is presented throughout the book."